Wildlife Fencing Solutions

Managing Fencing for Wildlife

In all construction and development projects, it is a legal and ethical priority to make sure that local wildlife is safe.

Wildlife fencing is effective at managing the movement of animals across a development site, preventing burrowing, climbing or generally relocating into potentially dangerous areas.

We can help clients with installing fencing to support the safety of protected species and meet ecological regulations.

Wildlife-Friendly Fencing Guidelines

The installation of fencing needs to be done with technical precision and a deep understanding of wildlife behaviour. Without that, it won’t satisfy the requirements of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Environment Act 2021.

Any time ecological fencing is installed, the top priority is the physical safety of the species being managed. It guarantees this by ensuring that the materials are high-quality and completely free from sharp edges and snagging points.

All mitigation strategies are closely aligned with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), and that extends to the use of wildlife fencing. It is designed to support the long-term biodiversity goals of development sites, offering assurances that the temporary disruption of construction or demolition work does not lead to a permanent loss of habitat.

By following professional installation standards, the environmental impact of the works can be maintained. On top of that, the planning project can move forward without any sort of legal intervention.

Different Ecological Fence Options

Choosing the right fencing solutions depends on the goals of your ecological management plan.

At different points in the development process, you are more or less likely to interact with the local fauna.

Due to this, there are three main options to guide, contain or exclude wildlife on or near the site:

Wildlife Exclusion Fencing

Acting as a definitive physical barrier, wildlife exclusion fencing keeps protected species out of a high-risk construction zone.

It is the primary tool used to sterilise a site before any heavy machinery arrives.

Containment and Translocation Fencing

During the capture and move phase, containment and translocation fencing are key.

All animals are released into a secure receptor site with specialised fencing to ensure that the wildlife remains safely in the new habitat.

Drift Fencing and Directional Lines

Rather than a perimeter, drift fencing and directional lines act as funnels.

The affected wildlife will be led towards specific survey traps, permanent passpoints or underpasses.

Species-Specific Fencing Types

Each type of wildlife barrier will be more or less effective based on the target animal. For instance, a fence designed for a climbing amphibian will function completely differently from one designed for a digging mammal.

Using different species-specific solutions, developers and planners can be certain that it is physically impossible for the protected species to breach it.

Badger Fencing and One-Way Gating

As badgers are powerful burrowers, high-tensile mesh buried deep with an underground skirt is needed to keep them from going where they shouldn’t be.

For sett closures, specialised badger gates are used, allowing animals to exit safely but blocking them from returning.

Great Crested Newt and Amphibian Fencing

Commonly known as newt fencing, barriers for amphibians use UV-stabilised membranes.

All possibilities are covered, with a top turn preventing them from climbing over and an underlock preventing them from crawling underneath.

Otter and Reptile Fencing

While a taller mesh with a cranked top is used for otters, a smooth-faced solid barrier is used for reptiles.

Using a surface that reptiles would find to be too slippery to climb and too hard to break into, snakes and lizards are unable to breach the perimeter.

Riparian and Water Vole Fencing

Necessary on any construction sites on or near watercourses, the barriers need to be solid and tall.

Chew-resistant material and a high enough barrier are needed to prevent voles from gnawing and scaling past it.

Reach Out for Wildlife-Friendly Fencing Solutions

From remote rural landscapes to complex urban areas, wildlife fencing can help with developments of all shapes and sizes.

Our team consists of experts in ecology and arboriculture, and for anything else, we can refer to a reputable partner company.

For ecological fencing solutions, we’re able to pass you on to a company we work with for a consultation and full management of the installation process.

Wildlife Fencing Cost and Material Options

Selecting the right material based on the site, the project and the present species is the best way to ensure that your planning project remains cost-effective while satisfying all legal obligations.

Via the team we work with, we can help you choose between the primary grades of installation:

Permanent Fencing

Rigid HDPE or steel mesh systems designed for long-term (15+ years) infrastructure projects, permanent fencing is suitable for highways and railways.

Semi-Permanent Fencing

Durable timber-supported HDPE panels designed for barriers, semi-permanent fencing is suitable for multi-year builds expected to withstand a variety of weather and site activity

Temporary Fencing

Polythene membranes for short-term trapping and translocation phases, temporary fencing is suitable as an economical option whenever the barrier is only needed for a few months.

Every development is unique, and our costing process reflects the specific variables of your site.

Key factors that influence the final quote price include the total linear meterage, the complexity of the terrain, and the specific burial depths required for wildlife exclusion, containment or direction.

Although it is possible to buy online, improper installation is a leading cause of licence failures. With this in mind, it would always be advisable to refer to a specialist, such as the team we work with.

Under the guidance of our partner team, the installation can be professionally carried out and follow GPS marking to guarantee that the fence line is consistent with your ecological master plan.

Get an Ecological Fencing Referral Today

Even though the team at Arbtech doesn’t install wildlife fencing directly, the process for getting a quote via our team is quick and easy.

All you need to do is contact our team by filling out a quote form, calling us or sending us an email. At this point, give us as much information about your development site and planning project as possible, and from there, we can recommend the right services for you.

Contact us today and take the first step in working out what wildlife fencing you need to meet the requirements of your local council and move forward with your plans.